Tanzania Faces Political Turmoil Following Disputed Elections

Tanzania's recent presidential and parliamentary elections, held on October 29, 2025, have sparked significant unrest and controversy. Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after the death of John Magufuli, was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote. However, the election was marred by allegations of ballot stuffing, voter suppression, and the exclusion of key opposition candidates, particularly Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party, who was barred from running and is currently imprisoned on treason charges. The African Union (AU) observers noted that the elections did not meet democratic standards, citing widespread irregularities and a compromised electoral process.

76 charged with treason in Tanzania’s disputed election unrestAU Observers Condemn Tanzania’s 2025 Elections as Compromised Amid Ballot Stuffing and ViolenceReutersAfter mass protests in Tanzania, dozens of people were accused of treason – a crime punishable by deathAl Jazeera (website)CNN

In the wake of the protests that erupted during and after the elections, Tanzanian authorities have charged at least 145 individuals with treason. These charges stem from accusations that the protesters intended to obstruct the election and intimidate state authorities. The charges also include criminal conspiracy, with specific allegations made against a businesswoman accused of promoting the purchase of tear gas masks for demonstrators. Human rights activists and the Chadema party claim that security forces killed over 1,000 people during the protests, a figure the government has dismissed as exaggerated without providing an alternative death toll.

Al Jazeera (website)ReutersCNNAfter mass protests in Tanzania, dozens of people were accused of treason – a crime punishable by death76 charged with treason in Tanzania’s disputed election unrestAU Observers Condemn Tanzania’s 2025 Elections as Compromised Amid Ballot Stuffing and Violence

The Tanzanian government has faced increasing scrutiny from both local and international observers regarding its handling of the protests and the electoral process. The AU expressed "extreme concern" over the violence and the reported high death toll, while foreign ministries from Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement highlighting credible reports of fatalities and injuries. Religious leaders, including Bishop Benson Bagonza, have called for reconciliation rather than further arrests, warning that the government's actions could exacerbate tensions.

CNN

The opposition has documented approximately 2,000 deaths resulting from the protests, with claims that police disposed of bodies to conceal the extent of the violence. However, the government has not confirmed these figures, leading to a significant gap in verified information regarding the actual death toll. Human Rights Watch has condemned the government's response to the protests, describing it as marked by lethal force and human rights abuses.

CNN

The aftermath of the 2025 elections in Tanzania has plunged the nation into a deepening political crisis, characterized by widespread unrest, allegations of human rights violations, and a crackdown on dissent. As the government continues to charge protesters with treason, the potential for further violence and instability remains high. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with calls for urgent reforms to address the underlying democratic challenges facing Tanzania.

76 charged with treason in Tanzania’s disputed election unrest